Work can be a pretty stressful environment to be a part of. In fact, 80% of working humans report feeling stress on the job and workplace stress costs employers in the United States an average of $200 billion per year. Whether you are working in the office with a team, in a coworking space, or in a hybrid or remote setting where you are largely solo, you need kindness and encouragement in your day.
You can be the beacon of light in someone’s day by bringing your own kindness out. To celebrate World Kindness Day, here are some simple, effective ways to demonstrate kindness in the workplace all year long.
1. Provide Positive Feedback
First thing is first, and it is something we highlight quite regularly around here. Providing positive feedback to employees – no matter what level they are at the company, or what the hierarchy is – can improve so many aspects of your business. It can increase productivity, lead to innovation, and provide a connector between your colleagues.
Recognizing the wins in the office space is such an incredible way to boost the morale of your team. In fact, it is reported that only 1% of employees who received positive feedback on projects reported being disengaged from their work. It can be surprising how much more willing a team is to work together and how much happier coworkers can be when they hear about their accomplishments more often.
Even when you find that you have to point out issues on a team or regarding a project, it is always helpful to have a positive comment to follow up with. For example, you could approach your coworker with a sentence like: “Hey Connie! I really enjoyed your newsletter content today, and I think it will perform well. You’ve got a great eye for trends. Just one key thing, if you could take another pass over the copy for grammar errors in the future, there were a few we missed and I want to ensure we are as professional as possible regarding our audience.”
Situations, where you have to address people with difficult conversations, can always be improved when you acknowledge what they are good at, or what they can expand on. A positive work environment builds trust and leads to creative inspiration.
2. Say “Thank You”
As an extension of positive feedback, saying “thank you” and acknowledging the help of others in the workplace is such a rewarding experience for both parties. Connecting with a “thank you” allows a moment of vulnerability – whether it is via direct message, email, phone call, text, or otherwise – for both parties to appreciate the work that was completed. Here are a few examples of how to kindly and quickly acknowledge individual performance.
If your colleague went above and beyond in helping you on a project, sometimes a handwritten thank you note or email is the best mode of communication to really let them know how much you appreciate them.
Americans are less likely to express gratitude at work than anywhere else in their lives. But, when expressed appropriately, gratitude has the capacity to build camaraderie and strengthen team culture. Not only that, but being a grateful human being can help you become more resilient to stress.
3. Engage in Meaningful Conversations
We are all used to the day-in and day-out small talk that happens around the water cooler or in the breakroom. And while we aren’t suggesting becoming a therapist or confidante with your coworkers, per se, engaging in deeper, more meaningful conversations can really foster empathy and kindness.
If you do not work in an environment that encourages as much human interaction, feel free to schedule one-on-ones with employees and colleagues to stay updated on their productivity, work ethic, etc. This is especially important for project and team managers, and often upper management. You can schedule these as video calls, phone calls, or in-person caffeine or lunch opportunities.
Ask your coworkers about their families. Find out about their hopes and dreams. Is there a career trajectory or goal someone is chasing that you can help facilitate? In these expanded conversations, you can learn more about the skills and perspectives of the people who are part of your work community, and understand how best to support them and vice versa.
4. Offer Support
These meaningful conversations you allow yourself to engage in – when it is appropriate to do so – can help the team to adjust in times when support may be necessary. Extended conversations can tip you off to someone’s mood or knowing about an event in their life can really help you to understand how they handle stress.
In times of overwhelm and trouble, people may need a shoulder to lean on. If you recognize a bit of despair in a coworker who is otherwise in a great mood, it is ok to ask them if they require any special support. Likewise, be willing to ask for support or help as needed if you feel like you are becoming overrun with your workload.
If you are in project management, this can help you to best assess upcoming tasks, and re-evaluate deadlines. It can also help you understand how to help your coworker get back to tip-top performance. After all, mental health can not only improve productivity, but drastically and positively affect retention in the workplace.
5. Celebrate Milestones and Birthdays (With Consent)
When your coworkers do well on a project, when your team lands a new client, and when someone is promoted, you can find ways to celebrate. Be sure to highlight the strengths of each individual involved, as well as the group as a whole. And be sure to reward them well! Bonuses, gifts, shout-outs in company-wide newsletters and social media, and upward movement within the company.
Has someone been with the company for multiple years, and revving up to celebrate another anniversary? Don’t just be like every other employer. Make sure to cater a celebration in line with that worker’s desires. Give them a questionnaire about their interests and if they enjoy celebrating their birthday, and then try to stick to their tastes. Take the department out to food they like, cater in, and order their favorite cake.
Team up to get them something fun for their birthday, or gift them little things to make them feel special throughout the day. Free coffee from their favorite java hut, a gift card for dinner and drinks, or any other appropriate and workplace-friendly gift.
If you know your coworkers well and have many pictures that showcase your best moments together, a photo book is one example of a great birthday present. Photo books give you a chance to gift memories, which are often more valuable than meaningless items.
Regardless of how you choose to show your appreciation, make sure to get consent before celebrating your workers. Some of them require more subtle praise, and some no praise at all.
